Script familiarity effects on the efficiency of processing numerals by Japanese university students with high and low English proficiency

Takahashi Toshiaki

Tamaoka Katsuo

言語文化研究

Using the comparison task of two numerals presented in Arabic, kanji, hiragana or English alphabet, the study investigated the effects of script familiarity on numeral processing. 34 students at Matsuyama University were chosen for the experiment on the basis of an equal proportion of high/low English proficiency. The results indicated that the script was a major factor influencing efficiency (accuracy and speed) of the numeral processing ; Arabic and kanji numerals could be processed a greater degree of direct (visual) processing than those in hiragana and the alphabet. The length of numerals written in hiragana symbols or the alphabet did not affect numeral processing. The study illustrated only a slight, but consistent, difference in the numeral processing speed between the students of high and low English proficiency.

日本語 [ 810 ]

心理学 [ 140 ]

英語

[ISSN] 0387-4478